Correlation Interferometric Spectroscopy Device Without Moving Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing correlation interferometric spectroscopy systems require precision optical components and moving parts, making them costly and prone to mechanical inaccuracies, which complicates the measurement of optical wavelength electromagnetic correlations.
Innovation Solution
A correlation interferometric spectroscopy device that eliminates the need for precision optical components by using an electromagnetic radiation source and a detector to measure the delay between photon arrivals, with an autocorrelator analyzing these delays, and can be configured with Raman, attenuated total reflectance, or peri-critical reflectance spectroscopy methods, utilizing solid-state circuitry and fast detectors to achieve spectral measurements without optics or moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional interferometers with precision optical components are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical optical interferometers with an electronic correlation measurement system. Instead of using precision optical components and moving mirrors to create interference patterns, the system uses fast electronic detectors to measure time delays between photon arrivals, substituting mechanical/optical systems with electronic signal processing to achieve the same measurement function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex optical interferometer subsystem from the measurement system. By removing the need for precision optical components, moving parts, and interference pattern generation, the system retains only the essential correlation measurement function through electronic means, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If precision optical components and moving parts are used in interferometers, then measurement accuracy is improved, but reliability decreases due to mechanical inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical moving parts and precision optical components by using electronic correlation measurement. The system measures time delays between photon arrivals using fast electronic detectors and signal processing, replacing mechanical interferometer components with electronic systems that have no moving parts, thereby improving reliability while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electronic copy of the interference measurement function without requiring physical optical interference. Instead of measuring optical path differences through mechanical movement, the system measures temporal correlations of photon arrivals, creating an electronic analogue that achieves the same measurement goal without mechanical complexity and associated reliability issues.
3Measurement precision
If scanning Michelson or Fabry-Perot interferometers are built with tight tolerances, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive precision optical interferometers with a simpler electronic measurement system. Instead of manufacturing precision optical components and assembling them with tight tolerances, the system uses standard electronic detectors and signal processing to measure correlation times, dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive electronic components and standard detectors instead of expensive precision optical components. The electronic correlation measurement system can be implemented with off-the-shelf electronics and detectors, eliminating the need for costly precision optics and mechanical assemblies, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while achieving the required measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for low-cost, rugged, and accurate spectral measurements, enabling applications in medical and industrial processes, such as non-invasive glucose monitoring and tissue analysis, while reducing the complexity and cost associated with traditional interferometric systems.
Implementation Method 1
a detector adapted to detect an arrival time of a photon at the detector and further adapted to detect a delay between the arrival times of different photons
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic radiation source for exciting a sample with photons
Data Source
AI summary
A correlation interferometric spectroscopy devices are described that detect the spectral characteristics of a sample wherein device consists of an electromagnetic radiation source for exciting a sample with photons; and a detector adapted to detect an arrival time of a photon at the detector and further adapted to detect a delay between the arrival time of different photons. The device may further consist of an autocorrelator adapted to analyze the between the arrival of photons at the detector. The device may also be used together with other spectral detection and characterizing systems, such as Raman spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. Also provided herein are methods, systems, and kits incorporating the correlation interferometric spectroscopy device.